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NO OUTSOURCING OF SAN CARLOS POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES!
  1. Signatures
    232 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. San Carlos City Council (+ 4 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • San Carlos City Council (Mayor Randy Royce)
      • San Carlos City Council (Vice-Mayor Omar Ahmad)
      • San Carlos City Council (Councilman Matt Grocott)
      • San Carlos City Council (Councilman Bob Grassilli)
      • San Carlos City Council (Councilman Andy Klein)
  2. Created By
    Ken Castle
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important

The San Carlos City Manager is recommending to the City Council that, in order to solve a projected budget deficit, our Fire Department be outsourced to Cal Fire (the state agency that fights wildland fires), and that our Police Department be outsourced to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. 

We believe that public safety is the foundation of city government, that this city has already made cuts to these departments that put lives and property at greater risk, and that we should retain LOCAL control of police and fire services.  We have an excellent fire department that we share with the City of Belmont, and we should maintain this relationship. Our Police Department, though greatly understaffed, has one of the state's best records for solving crimes. 

Turning our fire services over to the state could lead to the closure of a fire station in San Carlos, longer response times that would endanger property, loss of our highly trained firefighters and escalating annual fees as the state copes with its own huge budget deficit.  Likewise, contracting police services to the county could lead to fewer officers on patrol, loss of experienced supervisors who live in and know San Carlos, and slower response times.  We had a 25 percent increase in major crimes last year, and we need LOCAL officers who know our community.

We believe that the San Carlos City Council and City Manager should look at other options -- such as partnering with our neighboring cities -- to close the budget gap. 

Below is a suggested letter that can go to each council member.  It's recommended to include a personal note of your own -- this is more effective.  You can even substitute your own letter for this one.  PLEASE, SAN CARLOS RESIDENTS ONLY!

 

Recent Signatures

Re: Outsourcing Police and Fire Departments

Greetings, Mayor Royce and City Council members:

As a resident of San Carlos, I realize that the city faces difficult choices in dealing with a projected budget deficit of $3.5 million.

However, I do not believe that outsourcing our city-run police and fire departments to state and county agencies will benefit our city. In fact, I am concerned that our security and safety will be compromised with less coverage, that our dedicated and highly-trained local firefighters and police officers will leave, and that we will be putting these critical services in the hands of outsiders who are less accountable to our needs.

The City of San Carlos is experiencing an alarming 25 percent increase in major crimes, as well as more calls for fire and emergency services. This is not the time to be dismantling our public safety departments. While public safety represents a large percentage of the city budget, this is rightfully so, because it is the very foundation of city government.

While other cities in San Mateo County have already combined services, or are exploring ways to do that with their neighboring cities, no city is looking to offload these critical services to state and county agencies. I believe that we should keep and expand the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department, because it has worked well for our two cities. We should explore opportunities for other cities to join, thus providing savings for all but keeping our services local.

Likewise, we should have serious discussions with Belmont, Redwood City and other cities about having a combined police force, since the respective police departments already work closely and share in mutual aid calls.

I urge you to reject the outsourcing concept and to work with our neighbor cities in developing a regional public safety plan that protects the residents and at the same time reduces costs for everyone.

[Your name]